US Navy officer Branson Reagan jailed for rape in UK | United Kingdom | News

A US naval officer has been jailed for raping a woman in the UK almost 10 years ago after being brought back to Britain.

Branson Reagan, 28, of San Diego, appeared at Harrow Crown Court, sitting at Hendon Magistrates’ Court, on Monday where he pleaded guilty to four counts of sexual assault.

He was sentenced the same day to four years and nine months in prison.

The incident took place in Brent in September 2015 when Reagan visited the woman he knew while studying abroad.

In the middle of the night, Reagan sexually assaulted her while she was sleeping.

The victim reported the crime in July 2020. Specialized officers interviewed her and began a lengthy investigation, securing Reagan’s presence in court after he was granted leave from the U.S. Navy.

Reagan first appeared at Willesden Magistrates Court on Thursday 15 August last year, where he was charged with the offences.

Detective Constable Frederick Titchener, a member of the North West London Safeguarding Team who led the investigation, said: “We have worked hard to bring justice to a woman who trusted the UK to keep her safe while she studied in London.

“We admire and appreciate the enormous courage she has shown in coming forward and we hope it will encourage others in similar circumstances to have the same level of courage to speak to us.

“Tackling violence against women and girls is a key priority for the Met. We are doing more to support communities and individuals whose trust has been undermined, focusing on protecting women and girls from violence and targeting the predatory men who commit these crimes.”